How a few seconds of drowsiness can be dangerous

Just a few moments of drowsiness caused a driver to lose control, resulting in their vehicle hitting a guardrail and overturning on the expressway on 13/9.

Around 4:37 AM on 13/9, a cargo truck was traveling on the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao expressway. Upon reaching kilometer 215+500, a section passing through Ham Liem commune, Lam Dong province, the vehicle suddenly lost control, struck the right-side guardrail, and overturned. The accident caused no human casualties, but the truck and some traffic cones and median barriers on the expressway sustained damage.

According to the Traffic Police Department (CSGT), an inspection revealed that the driver did not violate regulations regarding alcohol or drug use. Data from the vehicle's tracking device showed that the driver had rest stops during the journey and did not drive for more than 4 continuous hours before the accident. However, investigators determined the initial cause was drowsiness, leading to loss of control.

The moment the driver collided on the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao expressway. Video: Traffic Police Department (CSGT).

The dangers of drowsy driving on long journeys

When driving, the body is most prone to drowsiness during the early morning and late afternoon/early evening. These are periods when the body's biological clock naturally reduces alertness. Early morning is when the need for sleep remains high after a long night, while late afternoon/early evening is when the body begins to prepare for rest. Transitional light conditions (dawn/dusk) also often reduce visibility, further increasing accident risk if the driver is tired or drowsy.

To prevent this, long-haul drivers should get sufficient sleep before a trip, proactively plan rest stops, avoid driving continuously for extended periods, and refrain from consuming alcohol or any substances or medications that can cause drowsiness before driving.

Once signs of drowsiness appear, drivers must pull over to rest or sleep. They should not attempt to fight drowsiness by opening windows, playing loud music, or drinking coffee and energy drinks to continue their journey. Signs that the body is losing alertness include continuous yawning, heavy eyelids, difficulty concentrating, drifting out of lane, or not remembering the last stretch of road. Drivers should find a safe place to stop and rest.